Then there's the Advanced Technic Package, its $3,240 delivering the contents of the Technic Package (Bi-xenon HID headlamps-high intensity for both high and low beams-headlamp washers and in-dash CD player) plus a new Bose digital sound system with 12 speakers and a remote CD changer. Finally, our Carrera is equipped with Porsche Stability Management, a sort of hand-of-God system that applies individual brakes and alters engine output as needed to keep the car on an even keel. It's a wondrous way to allow a driver to push hard without the car pushing back in an untimely manner. Cost: $1,230. All options added to base price bring the total to a tidy $81,730.
Warranty begins with four-year/50,000-mile bumper to bumper limited coverage, including Porsche's roadside assistance program. Every Porsche is also warrantied against rust perforation for 10 years (unlimited mileage) and paint deterioration for three years without mileage restrictions.
The EPA estimates fuel use to range between an average of 18 mpg for city use and 29 mpg on the highway, and annual fuel costs are estimated at $1,178. Obviously, these figures don't take into account cars like ours, in the hands of leadfoot journalists. We'll keep tabs on our fuel use and let you know how we do.
So far we've been content to break in the car slowly, following the owner's manual directive to keep the engine under 4200 rpm for the first 2,000 miles. Talk about frustrating! It's like sitting down to a steaming heap of succulent Spargel and only being able to sniff the fragrant air. Next time, we eat hearty.